Distinguished - Includes a well-written introductory paragraph with a clear and testable hypothesis statement, and a discussion of research related to the study. Critical thought is clearly evident throughout the paper.

Proficient - Includes an introductory paragraph with a hypothesis statement, and a discussion of research related to the study. Critical thought is evident throughout the paper.

Basic - Includes an introductory paragraph with a hypothesis statement, and a discussion of research related to the study. Minimal critical thought is evident throughout the paper.

Below Expectations - Includes an introduction, but may not contain a hypothesis statement and there is little discussion of previous research. There is no evidence of critical thought throughout the paper.

Non- Performance - The introduction, hypothesis statement, and discussion of research is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Identifies and comprehensively describes the research methods and statistical approaches used in the article, including all of the statistical tests, sample size, and assumptions noted by the researcher(s).

Proficient - Identifies and describes the research methods and statistical approaches used in the article, including most of the statistical tests, sample size, and assumptions noted by the researcher(s). Some minor details are missing or inaccurate.

Basic - Identifies and minimally describes the research methods and statistical approaches used in the article, including some of the statistical tests, sample size, and assumptions noted by the researcher(s). Relevant details are missing or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe the research methods and statistical approaches used in the study; however, significant details are missing and/or inaccurate.

Non- Performance - The description of research methods and statistical approaches is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly describes the test hypotheses, the statistical values, and fully justifies the use of the chosen statistical tests.

Proficient - Describes the test hypotheses, the statistical values, and justifies the use of the chosen statistical tests. The description is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Vaguely describes the test hypotheses, the statistical values, and somewhat justifies the use of the chosen statistical tests. The description is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe the test hypotheses, the statistical values; however, the use of the chosen statistical tests is not justified and the description is significantly underdeveloped.

Non- Performance - The test hypotheses, statistical values, and justification of the chosen statistical tests are either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly compares the results to previous studies, comprehensively describes the meaning of the results and interpretations, and identifies possible limitations of the statistical concepts performed in the study.

Proficient - Compares the results to previous studies, describes the meaning of the results and interpretations, and identifies possible limitations of the statistical concepts performed in the study. The comparison or the description is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally compares the results to previous studies, briefly describes the meaning of the results and interpretations, and identifies possible limitations of the statistical concepts performed in the study. The comparison and/or description are underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to compare the results to previous studies, describe the meaning of the results and interpretations, and identify possible limitations of the statistical concepts performed in the study; however, the comparison and description are significantly underdeveloped.

Non- Performance - The critique of the results, interpretation, and possible limitations of the statistical tests is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Writes at least a one paragraph conclusion detailing the experience with writing a research report, fully addressees all components described in the assignment instructions.

Proficient - Writes a one paragraph conclusion detailing the experience with writing a research report, addressees most components described in the assignment instructions. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Writes a one paragraph conclusion detailing the experience with writing a research report, minimally addressees some components described in the assignment instructions. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to write a one paragraph conclusion detailing the experience with writing a research report; however, the conclusion is less than one paragraph, the components described in the assignment instructions are not addressed, or significant details are missing.

Non- Performance - The conclusion is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Displays meticulous comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains no errors, and is very easy to understand.

Proficient - Displays comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains only a few minor errors, and is mostly easy to understand.

Basic -Displays basic comprehension of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains a few errors, which may slightly distract the reader.

Below Expectations - Fails to display basic comprehension of syntax or mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains major errors, which distract the reader.

Non- Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Accurately uses APA formatting consistently throughout the paper, title page, and reference page.

Proficient - Exhibits APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout contains a few minor errors.

Basic - Exhibits basic knowledge of APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout does not meet all APA requirements.

Below Expectations - Fails to exhibit basic knowledge of APA formatting. There are frequent errors, making the layout difficult to distinguish as APA.

Non- Performance -The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished -The length of the paper is equivalent to the required number of correctly formatted pages.

Proficient - The length of the paper is nearly equivalent to the required number of correctly formatted pages.

Basic -The length of the paper is equivalent to at least three quarters of the required number of correctly formatted pages.

Below Expectations - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least one half of the required number of correctly formatted pages. 

Non- Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished -Uses more than the required number of scholarly sources, providing compelling evidence to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

Proficient - Uses required number of scholarly sources to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

Basic - Uses less than the required number of sources to support ideas. Some sources may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are used within the body of the assignment. Citations may not be formatted correctly.

Below Expectations -Uses inadequate number of sources that provide little or no support for ideas. Sources used may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are not used within the body of the assignment. Citations are not formatted correctly.

Non- Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.